Tips, Tricks & Trivia

Care for your Hotplate/Grille

If your cast iron hotplate or grille develops rust on the surface, here’s a simple remedy.
Heat hotplate/grille for 15 – 20 mins until very hot, then cover with cooking oil and sprinkle liberally with salt. Scrape with BBQ spatula or scrub with wire brush tool, and this will remove rust. Wipe hotplate/grille clean with paper towel, and you’re ready for cooking.

When finished with cooking, while the plate/grille is still hot, clean it quickly with BBQ spatula and/or wire brush tool, then turn off heat. (Do this before you eat your meal, otherwise you may forget!). Once cooled down,(ie, after you’ve eaten your meal), replace lid (or close hood), and you’re all ready for the next BBQ.

Burner Maintenance

If your burner is running on only one side, and the adjacent burner does not light, it indicates that the cross lighting slot needs clearing. To do this, remove the burner from the BBQ and clean the cross-lighting slot on the underside of the burner, if necessary with a hacksaw. Check the other burners at the same time. Replace and fire it up.

Heat Reduction

If there appears to be minimal heat coming from the burners, check the gas level in the cylinder. Reduction in flame level is the first sign of running out of gas. Otherwise check the injector for blockages.

Cylinder Icing Up

If the cylinder is icing up whilst in use this indicates that the gas is being used too quickly for the cylinder to cope with. The cylinder may be too small for the size of BBQ being used, or the gas may be nearly finished. Reduce the number of burners that are in use, or replace with a full cylinder.

Drip Tray

Ensure that the drip tray is emptied and renewed regularly. Line the base of drip tray with tin foil and place a layer of absorbent material such as crushed pumice (kitty litter) or crushed scoria to a level of 3 – 5mm (avoid using sand, because it doesn’t really absorb fat). When replacing the drip tray, ensure that it is pushed back as far as possible to allow the necessary ventilation for air to mix with the gas. Failure to do this can result in flashbacks which can cause serious fire damage.

Self-Propelled Barbecue?

Watch out for this amazing self-propelled BBQ at a race car meeting near you!